Dear Claudienne, I write in respect of the billing discrepancies experienced since March 2021 through December 2021 with my National Water Commission (NWC) account.

For instance, for months the NWC has kept adding a bill I had already paid through my Scotiabank account to the current bill. The discrepancy was finally settled on June 17, 2021, but needless to say the NWC accounts department maintained it as a brought forward.

This, in turn, has created a roller coaster inaccurate monthly billing system, with my having to deduct the sum of $2,618.65 from each pursuant monthly bill, plus the $235.69, which was outstanding, and which I had paid.

Although I have provided the NWC with receipts of my payments, they have not been added to my account.

Another discrepancy was that, during the period October 12, 2021 to November 6, 2021, when I was overseas, the actual usage percentage on my water bill increased. I made a payment of $5,835.00; Scotiabank transaction # H7616464 on December 30, 2021 at 4:20 am, and this payment is acknowledged and displayed on my bill. However, the balance brought forward is $17,771.56? What is this recurring balance?

I returned to the island the week before Christmas, and during my absence the NWC meter was locked off. A few days after returning, two NWC workers visited and checked on the water meter.

I would appreciate your help in sorting out these problems.

YCJ

Dear YCJ

Tell Claudienne received a copy of an e-mail the NWC sent you after the column made the corporation aware of your concerns. The e-mail stated the following:

“Having reviewed the account, our records indicate the following:

* No payments were received for the months of April, June, July, October, November of 2021 and January 2022. Hence the accumulation of charges.

* The charges generated for the month of November 2021 was billed at a consumption of 4,000 litres and showed a reduction in your usage. The charges generated for December 2021 was billed at zero (0) consumption, which confirmed the property was vacant. The amount generated for both months are $1,825.97 and $1,429.04, respectively. Note that, even though the property is vacant, the account will be billed the applicable service charges.

* Inspection conducted on December 20, 2021 found the meter indicating a leak may exist on the property. A reading of 1087 cubic metres was recorded. It was noted that you are aware of a leaking toilet on the property.

* The account reflects a balance of $21,005.80 for settlement.

* See below the payments that are updated to our record and the bill history for your perusal.”

You told Tell Claudienne that this response from the NWC did not address the issue of payments that you had made reappearing on the current bill.

* The column again contacted NWC and notes that an agent called you on Wednesday June 1, 2022. You said that you had a “positive conversation” with the NWC agent about the problems you have with NWC billing.

* The column has received a copy of your June 1, 2022 e-mail to the NWC agent who is assisting to have the discrepancies removed from your current water bill and Tell Claudienne will continue to follow up this matter with you.

We wish you all the best.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 876-936-9436 or cell # 876-484-1349 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail:edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.